As we specialise in providing food and accommodation, Snowy Pockets remains independent from these Travel bodies. However, we have very fair policies towardsthe customer. Your holiday price is invoiced in Swiss Francs and that is all you pay. Our customers this year will avoid the direct pain of the stregthening of the Euro.

One of the key selling points of a package trip has always been that you know exactly where you stand – you pay a set fee with no extras or hidden costs. For thousands of holidaymakers this summer, that may no longer hold good.

charles Starmer-Smith, 14 May 2008, Telegraph.co.uk:-
Abta says that before tour operators impose any charges they must absorb rises equal to two per cent of the holiday price. Beyond this, they are free to impose fees equivalent to 10 per cent of the holiday, no questions asked. Only if a tour operator wants to add more than that will travellers even be offered the option of cancelling their trip and obtaining a refund.

The charges will not only compound the financial burden faced by British tourists heading to the euro-zone (who can already expect to pay 20 per cent more than last year for food, drink and local services), and encourage those yet to book to ensure they travel to non-euro countries. It may also accelerate the decline of the package holiday.

Located in a quiet residential area, Chalet Runca benefits from being pleasant walking routes (450 metres) to the main hub of lifts, shops and restaurants.

The bus stop is 20 metres from Chalet Runca and saves any walking to lifts.

Chalet Runca is central to your choice of lifts be it 5 minutes by bus upto Pratchli, 3 minutes to the cable car to the top of the Weisshorn and to the chair to the hub of mountain restaurants, mountain lifts and pistes, or 10 minutes to the chair for the Tchuggenhutte start of skiing, or 12 minutes to the gondola reaching the top of the Hornli mountain. Once on the mountain, all the lifts are accessible by skiing.

You can ski back to Chalet Runca

1) by continuing past the bottom of the Hornli gondola (or take the bus) - to reach Untersee bus stop - and you can take the bus or walk 100 metres

2) by skiing from Pratchli (or take the bus), through Maran, and down to the petrol station, walk 50 metres to the forest trail, leading to 50 metres from Chalet Runca's bus stop, named Wetterweide.

3) from the bottom of the Weisshornbahn, (take the bus or..)..walk past the Eden Hotel, put your skis on down the slope, down the short footpath beside the Altein bus stop and 50 metres from Chalet Runcas electric garage doors.

4) by skiing down the snow covered wide pavements to the church, through the woods to Untersee, and you can take the bus or walk 100 metres to Wetterweide bus-stop and you are home.


You are given the code to store your skis and utilise the boot warmers.

http://www.arosa.ch/img/i_lage/ortsplan.jpg

we are in grid square P8. second house on the right up from the bus stop.
There are a variety of walks from the chalet – all cleared and floodlit – 5-20 minutes walk – some provide horse and sleigh to the restaurant, and some you can take the bus up and sledge down at the end of the meal.

take a flight to Zurich Airport
www.BAconnect.com , www.easyjet.com, www.KLM.com
then take the train - the cheapest and most pleasant choice - direct to Arosa.

You can print out the train itinery from www.sbb.ch . Thr train journey is from Zurich Flughafen (airport) to Arosa (changing at Zurich City and Chur). The cost will be 102 CHF return for adults. This can be purchased on arrival or on the web.
On the web-site, you will have the option to book seats, as well as to book the service where you check in bags at the UK airport and next see them at Arosa train station (this service is only available when booking on the web prior to your flight).

We do not cover the cost of your transport to Arosa, but will meet you at the Arosa station to collect your bags and walk you to the chalet. This is a lovely way to orientate you to Arosa and takes 5-10 minutes. Alternatively, the free resort bus goes door to door and takes 3 minutes.

Just text Helen on +41 (0) 798 333 608 when you leave Zurich City to Chur to say which train to Arosa you will be on - it will be 9 minutes past the hour from 6am to 11pm.
A return ticket is half price for 6-16 year olds and free for under 6 year olds.


The Swiss Transfer ticket costs 56 pounds return for adults from any Swiss Airport or any train station once you enter Switzerland.
http://timetable.sbb.ch

Take a train from London
Take the Eurostar at 7.09 am from London St Pancras to Paris Gare du Nord - take a 10 minute walk to Paris Gare de l'Est. Hop on the Lyria TGV high speed (200 mph) train to Zurich and then change to the Intercity fast train to Chur, onto the mountain train to Arosa - arriving at 19.09.
Updated prices can be found at www.eurostar.com or www.bahn.de (Telephone Germany 0900 300 300)

Directions to Chalet Runca by Road. You will receive pre-holiday information containing directions.

Tel: 0813565257
Portable: 0798333608

From this winter, Eurostar leaves London St Pancra at 7.09 am (allow 30 minutes to check-in).
On arriving at Paris Gare du Nord, the easiest way to reach Gare de l'Est is to walk for 10 minutes. You find the Lyria TGV, which travels from Paris to Zurich at 200 mph. From Zurich, you take the Intercity to Chur - arriving at 17.58, then the mountain train to Arosa arrives at 19.09, in time for your welcome cocktail and canopes!

www.sbb.ch
www.eurostar.com
http://bahnhafas.de
www.bahn.de

Yes, what suits many of our guests is our collection of bags and one or two passengers by 4x4, and the remainder of the party is escorted to the chalet by foot, so to be orientated with the shortest route from town to the chalet (400 metres), and be shown the toboggan area, shops and open air floodlit ice rink and indoor icerink along the way.

Snowy Pockets provides breakfast of porridge, eggs, cereals, fresh bread, preserves, and afternoon tea with home made cakes, 3-course dinner at 8pm with free unlimited local wine. On Wednesday it is staff day off and no dinner is provided, nor can the kitchen stock/ cookers/ovens be used. Guests dine at a restaurant at their own expense.

Yes, although their sleeping quarters are quite separate.
The chalet is their home for the winter and they are your hosts.

Yes, children age 12 or under can dine earlier, usually at 6-6.30pm. Parents help with the serving.

This is not possible. With such a large chalet, we employ a chef and host for the whole winter season, dedicated to keep the chalet at its best, for everyone to enjoy. This allows more time to concentrate on other leisure and relaxation pursuits. What a proper holiday, not having to do any washing up, cleaning, or cooking, and moreover, being presented delicious dinner parties in the comfort of your own home!

For the safety and insurance purposes of the chalet, the kitchen is closed to guests staying in Chalet Runca, even on the chalet hosts' day off.

The dining room will be set up for you to use the kettle for hot drinks.
Lunch-times, afternoon tea and Wednesday's evening meal are to be enjoyed at one of Arosa's fine eating establishments.

Breakfast will be laid out for you, milk, juice and yogurts will be provided for you in the refrigerator, and fresh bread/pastries provided.
We just ask you to stack the dishwasher after breakfast, and when Antoni and Renata appear for their breakfast they will get it going.

You always have the choice of bus or skiing directly home, snow permitting - damage to the skis, due to skiing on the roads once grit has been laid, will be charged for .

You can ski back to Chalet Runca:-

1) by continuing past the bottom of the Hornli gondola (or take the bus) - to reach Untersee bus stop - and you can take the bus or walk 100 metres

2) by skiing from Pratchli (or take the bus), through Maran, and down to the petrol station, walk 50 metres to the forest trail, leading to 50 metres from Chalet Runca's bus stop, named Wetterweide.

3) from the bottom of the Weisshornbahn, (take the bus or..)..walk past the Eden Hotel, put your skis on down the slope, down the short footpath beside the Altein bus stop and 50 metres from Chalet Runcas electric garage doors.

4) by skiing down the snow covered wide pavements to the church, through the woods to Untersee, and you can take the bus or walk 100 metres to Wetterweide bus-stop and you are home.


You are given the code to store your skis and utilise the boot warmers.

Yes, we offer a laundry service, payable at the end of your week in local currency - you provide us with a full load at breakfast and you will have it washed, dried and folded (not ironed) on your bed by the afternoon. You may use our iron on request from Renata, your chalet host.

Snowy Pockets has an arrangement with a local 5 star Hotel, for their guests kinder (aged from zero - 6 years), to join their creche between 9 and 12, just let us or them know the day before.
In this case, the parents must supply a medical record plus a doctors letter to confirm their well-being.


Snowy Pockets can provide babysitting service at the local rates on Wednesday night.

The garden is ideal for making snowmen in, whilst the adults sit around with gluevine in the snow bar, around the log fire.

100 metres from the chalet is a bum-boarding/playground area for tots to teen agers.

The three official sledging routes are a great experience for toddlers and parents - leave time to do several runs before dinner!

Ice skating can be enjoyed near the chalet on the Obersee Ice rink (not the Obersee lake, but what is the astro turf in summer, opposite the Obersee Lake). Also, try the natural Ice rink in InnerArosa. These are open 10am-5pm, and offers skates which strap onto toddlers boots and zimmer frame to do that bambi impersonation - helmet and gloves are essential. Knee pads are desirable.

We can babysit at the local rates on the Wednesday evening. This does not include the child's meal as the kitchen will be closed on Antoni and Renata's day off.

The fresh air and stimulating environment tends to appeal to babies and toddlers however you will need to take extra precautions against the altitude, the sun and the temperature. During your journey up to Arosa, you will experience the effects of a considerable drop in air pressure, therefore we advice you to give young children a drink or something to suck to help them equalise the pressure in their ears. If you believe that your baby is experiencing abnormal discomfort, it is advisable to seek medical advice At any time when there is discomfort, descend, descend, descend.
Suncream rubbed in well to your childs skin half an hour before heading out into the sun will help any exposed portions.
Headwear shading from the sun is good although pale-coloured under side of baseball rims can reflect light and can cause blistering of the forehead.
Sunglasses and goggles are essential as the reflection of even the dullest light off the snow can cause very painful pins and needles in the eyes, a bloodshot appearance and ultimately snow blindness a temporary loss of sight and no more skiing for the rest of the holiday. (Sorry, the photo above is setting a very bad example for eye wear! You may have to be quite persistent to keep your toddler from removing eyewear the secret is to make them want to be cool, like you. Let him/her try and put them on him/herself first).

The cold is another danger for very small children, whose temperature regulation systems are not yet fully developed.
Waterproof boots, good quality mittens, head and ears protection are essential to protect from frostbite.
Do not take a baby skiing with you on your back because immobilised, he/she will quickly lose heat, and the risk of collisions or falls on the piste is always present.

Most ski teachers wouldn’t recommend starting skiing before the age of four at the earliest. The right age will vary from child to child, and depends upon the child’s strength, co-ordination and attitude.

For this age group skiing should remain a play activity, so don't expect a young child to ski all day - a couple of hours is ample.
Remember children lose heat faster than adults so dress according to the weather conditions and make provision for it changing - hats, waterproofs and gloves are essentials. Helmets are highly recommended too.

Remember to protect your child's eyes and skin from the sun - not only are the infra-red and UV rays less filtered by the atmosphere at altitude, but 85% of the rays are reflected by the snow. Use category 3 or 4 UV sunglasses/goggles, and reapply SPF30 sun cream at least every two hours.

It's a good idea to have a contact phone number and address in your child's pocket in case you become separated on the mountain.

In winter, Ski school for kids can be all day and is excellent www.sssa.ch.

Also, outside ice-skating, tobogganing, horse and sleigh rides, cinema, sunrise cable car, sun set cable car, night time ski party weekly

3-12 years!

Monday: kinovorstellung

Tuesday: kids disco 7pm-10pm

Wednesday: mountain laser show

Thursday: sledging en masse

Friday: try out snowboarding



Also, kinderfims, ludothek, chess

Disney menus on all mountain restaurants, including drinks, 10 CHF

Iglu playgrounds

http://www.arosabergbahnen.com/webcams-w.html

George Onions
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
• Have questions? Find out how to ask questions and get answers. •Jump to: navigation, search
George Onions VC (born Bilston, Staffordshire March 2, 1883 - died April 2, 1944) was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

He was 35 years old, and a Lance-Corporal in the 1st Battalion, The Devonshire Regiment, British Army during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On 22 August 1918 south of Achiet-le-Petit, France, Lance-Corporal Onions, having been sent out with one man to get in touch with the battalion on the right flank (actually he may have just wandered off with his pal to have a ciggie!), saw the enemy advancing in large numbers. Seizing his opportunity, he boldly placed himself and his comrade on the flank of the advancing enemy and opened fire. When the enemy were about 100 yards from him the line wavered and some hands were thrown up, whereupon the lance-corporal rushed forward and helped by his comrade, took about 200 of the enemy prisoners and marched them back to his company commander.

He later achieved the rank of Major.

After the war, Onions served in the Auxiliary Division of the Royal Irish Constabulary.

His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Military Museum of Devon and Dorset (Dorchester, Dorset, England).

We love the location - you have space in a close to centre location. We use the bus to get to the lifts in the morning and usually ski back as they leave a few cm snow on the roads/pavements for aesthetics.
Walking into town is lovely when you are not wearing ski boots - several options and easy and pretty with it.

In Summer,absolutely free!!

Arosa ski area
CHF Senior (born 1934-1946)/ Adult (born 1947-1989)/Child (born 1990-1994)andBorn before 1933/ Child (born 1995-2001).
Afternoon:12.30 on 26 32
Arosa: 6 days - 233 259 173 86
Arosa: 7 days - 255 283 189 94
1 day ski safari extension to Tchiertchen and Lenzerheide – off piste 30
Beginners Pass: 1 day Tschuggen: 36 24 12
Beginners Pass: 6 day Tschuggen: 163 109 54
Beginners Pass: after 12.15 Tschuggen: 24 16 8
Beginners Pass: 1 day
Pratchli 15
Pedestrian: 6 day 97 108 72 36

View www.sssa.ch to see how the Swiss Ski and Snowboard School of Arosa provide something for everyone.
Call +41 (0) 813787505, or email fun@arosa.ch to discuss your requirements. If you request Mike Onions, please email helen@snowypockets.com, to confirm days and times booked. Feel free to book one private and see how it goes, to see if you will benefit from having a few more in the week.

Price example is
Group lesson: 5/6 days (2 hours per morning) - adult, 245 CHF, child 230 CHF
Private lesson: 2 hours, 1-3 people, 140-170 CHF. 3 hrs, 210-240 CHF. All day, 380 CHF.
Kinder: 1 hour, parents watch, 20 CHF.

In chalet runca. We fit you up on arrival, ready to go.